Fall Prevention Strategies For Family Caregivers
Caring for a family member gives someone better access to reducing the risk of their loved ones falling while implementing strategies to prevent future falls. However, managing a loved one’s care doesn’t ensure you can recognize every fall risk. To help, Visiting Angels SE-OKC commits itself to providing as many resources as possible to the community, including equipping family caregivers with fall prevention strategies to keep their senior loved ones safer.
How Family Caregivers Can Help Prevent Falls
Family can play an integral role in fall safety and prevention! Often, seniors may need to rely on their families to identify and address environmental conditions that can increase their chances of falling. Seniors can greatly benefit from a loved one to provide support, care, and guidance in preventing falls and minimizing risk. The fall prevention strategies below are a great place to start if you are a family caregiver searching for ways to help your loved one be proactive about preventing falls at home.
5 Fall Prevention Strategies For Family Caregivers
Use the following strategies to help your aging loved one avoid falling.
1. Medication Management
Some medications may increase a senior’s risk of falling, either alone or in combination with other medications. Family caregivers can meet with their loved one’s medical care team to discuss medications and any potential side effects, like dizziness or trouble with mobility. In addition, physicians may be able to provide you with recommendations regarding fall prevention methods that have worked for other patients.
2. Fall Risk Assessments
Assessing fall risks can help seniors and their family members identify what contributes to falls and what can be addressed to reduce those risks. Physicians can perform fall risk assessments to help provide seniors with a trusted opinion. Doctors may follow up a fall risk assessment with a recommendation to see a physical therapist or seek other treatment.
3. Assistive Devices
Although we often associate getting old with walkers, wheelchairs, and canes, they’re undeniably helpful in aiding seniors' mobility. It’s important for all family members to encourage their senior loved ones to use these devices, even if it’s only moving about the house or from the bedroom to the bathroom. While adopting these methods can be met with protest initially, their benefit is hard to deny.
4. Environmental Modifications
A senior’s home often presents one of the most significant challenges in preventing falls. Rugs, clutter, and dimly lit areas can promote falling rather than prevent it. For family caregivers, recognizing and remedying these potential risks includes discussing with loved ones before making any drastic changes to the home, as extreme changes can bring about more anxiety and stress that can detrimentally affect seniors. However, with some tidying up and organization, family caregivers can assist their loved ones in making their home a safer and more accessible space.
5. Discussions About the Fear of Falling
It can be hard to discuss a fall experience, and sometimes, it seems safer to keep it a secret from friends, family, and even doctors, as it can threaten a senior’s independence. However, it’s crucial to be truthful about their fear of falling or any falls they may have already had. Family caregivers can support their loved ones, encouraging them to feel safe and having an open discussion about their fear of falling or any accidents they have had.
Knowing When Professional Help Is Needed for Fall Prevention
Being a family caregiver is a noble, yet challenging endeavor. Use reliable resources when you can, and take breaks when you need a respite. The Visiting Angels of SE-OKC team stands ready to step in with professional and compassionate caregiving services, whenever you need them. We offer our community residents a fall prevention program that delivers peace of mind for local seniors and their family members. Our skilled caregivers help seniors prevent falls, maintain independence, and live their highest quality of life.
Family caregivers can also benefit from our Safe and Steady Fall Prevention Resource Guide, which incorporates additional guidance and support.
To learn more about our senior home care services or for more information about fall prevention resources, call us at 405-259-9155.